How Confident are the Steelers in Markus Wheaton?

There has to be reason that the Pittsburgh Steelers have brought in so many wide receivers so far in their pre-draft visits. Maybe it’s just what NFL teams do?

Guys like DeVante Parker, Breshad Perriman, Jaelen Strong, Devin Gardner and Sammie Coates have all made visits to the Steelers so far prior to the Draft.

The fact that the Steelers have entertained wide receivers isn’t so surprising but the guys they’ve brought in do cause me to wonder about the team’s feelings towards Markus Wheaton.

Parker, Perriman and Strong are all potential first round draft picks. Coates is likely to go in the third while Gardner, a former quarterback at Michigan, would be a later round selection or free agent.

The Steelers have needs in this draft and to think wide receiver isn’t one of them would be wrong. The team currently has a top three of Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton. Darrius Heyward-Bey has re-signed but I don’t believe the team is looking for much out of him other than a relief role and that of a solid special teams player.

While another big-play receiver is needed, would the Steelers really pull the trigger on one in the first or even second round of this draft? Don’t be shocked if they do but the bigger question involves whether the team is looking for depth or a replacement for Wheaton in the third spot.

A source with knowledge of the situation tells me that the team isn’t “unhappy” with Wheaton, but they believe they can make a serious upgrade over him. One of the areas this offense has struggled despite the record-setting numbers has been in the red zone and if they can find an immediate red zone threat then it appears they’ll take him.

Wheaton had 53 receptions for 644 yards and two touchdowns but the team feels there is room to grow. Assuming Martavis Bryant grabs the second wide receiver position, Wheaton would seem to be a perfect fit for the slot.

What we have to remember is that a receiver’s performance goes far beyond just whether he can catch the ball or score touchdowns. Is Wheaton making the correct reads at the line of scrimmage? Is he able to decipher to audibles when Ben Roethlisberger changes the play? Does he block in the running game well enough?

These are all fair questions and I can tell you that the team doesn’t always have confidence in Wheaton when it comes to one or more of those examples.

So is there a scenario where the Steelers could pass up a much-needed pass rusher or cornerback and select a wideout in the first or second round?

I believe there is. If the teams ahead of their 22nd position scoop up the edge rushers and cornerbacks at the top of the Steelers’ draft boards then there’s your scenario. This could occur in both the first and/or second round.

My instincts tell me that the Steelers would have to be very disappointed in how the draft unfolds in front of them in order for Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin to pull the trigger on a receiver in the first or second round.

With the confidence in Markus Wheaton being 50/50 at best, nothing will surprise me when the draft begins.

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